Philippines: Human rights defenders under attack amid rampant impunity, new report finds
KARAPATAN Public Information
Dear friends,
We are sharing with you the recent report of the Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, a partnership between the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and the World Organization Against Torture (OMCT). The report highlights the challenges that human rights defenders and other members of civil society have faced under the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
You may browse through this link for the full report: https://www.fidh.org/en/region/asia/philippines/philippines-human-rights-defenders-under-attack-amid-rampant-impunity. Their press release is also shared as inline text below.
Karapatan Public Information Desk
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Geneva, Paris, 18 June 2026. The 36-page report, titled “ Same-same but different - Repression of human rights defenders in the Philippines under President Marcos Jr. ”, shows that, under the Philippines' current President, a climate of impunity for past and ongoing human rights violations has prevailed, and civil society has operated in an environment that remains highly restrictive and dangerous.
"President Marcos Jr.'s failure to dismantle his predecessor's apparatus of repression and to foster accountability for human rights violations means that human rights defenders are still not safe in the Philippines. President Marcos Jr. should promote without delay the necessary legislative and policy reforms to make the Philippines a safe place for human rights defenders and other members of civil society, " said FIDH Secretary-General Shahindha Ismail.
This report's key findings are the result of a rapid assessment made by the Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, following a five-day fact-finding visit conducted from 2 to 6 March 2026 in Metro Manila. This was complemented by a prior online consultation with Filipino human rights defenders in exile.
The report shows that repressive counter-terrorism laws and counter-insurgency policies have been used to attack and criminalize land and environmental rights defenders, human rights lawyers, journalists, trade unionists, and women human rights defenders, including those from Indigenous Peoples' communities. Threats, harassment (especially surveillance and “red-tagging”), arbitrary detentions, enforced disappearances, and extrajudicial killings have been the most common forms of attacks against defenders.
"The findings of this report are deeply troubling. Human rights defenders in the Philippines face surveillance, harassment, and violence in a climate where accountability remains elusive. Ending impunity, protecting civic space, and holding perpetrators accountable must become urgent priorities for the authorities, " said OMCT Secretary-General Gerald Staberock.
This challenging situation has been compounded by the absence of effective measures aimed at protecting human rights defenders and tackling impunity for abuses against them, and by the significant shrinking of financial resources for civil society organizations.
Despite the numerous challenges, there have also been several positive developments, such as the emergence of a new wave of youth-led activism, and proceedings against former President Rodrigo Duterte at the International Criminal Court (ICC).
The report makes numerous recommendations to national and international stakeholders to promote measures that, if implemented, could lead to a more conducive environment for human rights defenders and civil society organizations to operate.
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KARAPATAN is an alliance of human rights organizations and programs, human rights desks and committees of people’s organizations, and individual advocates committed to the defense and promotion of people’s rights and civil liberties. It monitors and documents cases of human rights violations, assists and defends victims and conducts education, training and campaign. It was established in 1995.